How the man yielded to his wife's request that he should seek the means of livelihood, and regarded her opposition (to him) as a Divine indication. (Verse): To the mind of every knowing man it is a fact that with the revolving object there is one that causes it to revolve.

مرد ز آن گفتن پشیمان شد چنان ** کز عوانی ساعت مردن عوان‌‌

The man became as sorry for that speech (of his) as at the hour of death a tyrannical officer (is sorry) for his tyranny.

گفت خصم جان جان چون آمدم ** بر سر جان من لگدها چون زدم‌‌

He said, “How did I become the adversary of (her who is) the life of my soul? How did I bestow kicks on the head of my soul?”

چون قضا آید فرو پوشد بصر ** تا نداند عقل ما پا را ز سر2440

When the (Divine) destiny comes, it muffles the sight, so that our intellect cannot distinguish foot from head.

چون قضا بگذشت خود را می‌‌خورد ** پرده بدریده گریبان می‌‌درد

As soon as the destiny is past, it (the intellect) devours itself (with grief): rending the veil (without regard for appearances), it tears its bosom.

مرد گفت ای زن پشیمان می‌‌شوم ** گر بدم کافر مسلمان می‌‌شوم‌‌

The man said, “O wife, I am repenting: if I have been an infidel, I will (now) become a Moslem.

من گنه‌‌کارم توام رحمی بکن ** بر مکن یک بارگیم از بیخ و بن‌‌

I am a sinner against thee: have mercy, do not dig me up all at once from root and foundation (do not bring me to utter ruin).”

کافر پیر ار پشیمان می‌‌شود ** چون که عذر آرد مسلمان می‌‌شود

If the old infidel is repenting, he becomes a Moslem when he pleads for pardon.

حضرت پر رحمت است و پر کرم ** عاشق او هم وجود و هم عدم‌‌2445

He (God) is the merciful and bountiful Lord: both existence and non-existence are in love with Him.

کفر و ایمان عاشق آن کبریا ** مس و نقره بنده‌‌ی آن کیمیا

(Both) infidelity and faith are lovers of that Majesty, both copper and silver are slaves to that Elixir.

Explaining that both Moses and Pharaoh are subject to the Divine Will, like poison and antidote and darkness and light, and how Pharaoh conversed in solitude with God, praying that He would not destroy his (good) reputation.

موسی و فرعون معنی را رهی ** ظاهر آن ره دارد و این بی‌‌رهی‌‌

Moses and Pharaoh were servants (worshippers) of Reality, (though) outwardly the former keeps the way (is rightly guided), while the latter has lost the way.

روز موسی پیش حق نالان شده ** نیم شب فرعون گریان آمده‌‌

In the daytime Moses was making lament (supplication) to God: at midnight Pharaoh would begin to weep,

کاین چه غل است ای خدا بر گردنم ** ور نه غل باشد که گوید من منم‌‌

Saying, “O God, what shackle is this on my neck? Were it not for the shackle, who would say ‘I am I’?

ز آن که موسی را منور کرده‌‌ای ** مر مرا ز آن هم مکدر کرده‌‌ای‌‌2450

By that (will) whereby Thou hast made Moses to be illumined, by that (same will) Thou hast made me to be darkened;

ز آن که موسی را تو مه رو کرده‌‌ای ** ماه جانم را سیه رو کرده‌‌ای‌‌

By that whereby Thou hast made Moses' face like the moon Thou hast made the moon of my soul to be black-faced (eclipsed).

بهتر از ماهی نبود استاره‌‌ام ** چون خسوف آمد چه باشد چاره‌‌ام‌‌

My star was not better than a moon (so that it should be exempt from eclipse): since it has suffered eclipse, what help have I?

نوبتم گر رب و سلطان می‌‌زنند ** مه گرفت و خلق پنگان می‌‌زنند

If they beat drums in my honour (proclaiming me) as Lord and Sultan, (’tis like as when) the moon is eclipsed and the people beat bowls (of metal).

می‌‌زنند آن طاس و غوغا می‌‌کنند ** ماه را ز آن زخمه رسوا می‌‌کنند

They beat those bowls and raise a clamour: they put the moon to shame by their blows.

من که فرعونم ز شهرت وای من ** زخم طاس آن ربی الاعلای من‌‌2455

I, who am Pharaoh, oh, woe is me because of (what is being done by) the people: my (title of) ‘My supreme Lord’ is (like) the blows on the bowl (since it proclaims my eclipse).

خواجه‌‌تاشانیم اما تیشه‌‌ات ** می‌‌شکافد شاخ را در بیشه‌‌ات‌‌

We (Moses and I) are fellow-servants (to Thee), but Thy axe is cleaving the boughs in Thy forest;